Technics SL-1200G (110 volt) now N/A in North America. Why?

[PhilCohen]

Though I was hoping to purchase a Technics SL-1200G turntable, and I've got the money to buy it, I have discovered that no authorized online Technics dealer in the U.S.A. or Canada can presently supply it. This raises the question of whether Technics intends to manufacture any more 110 Volt units. They advertise the SL-1200G in magazines and online as if it were available. Be assured that it is not available. Yes, there are still a few Japan-based sellers on Ebay or Amazon.com who are offering a Japan-market version, but as customers have cautioned, there are quite a number of pitfalls to buying these Japan-intended units, and these are:
1.The unit must be used with a 110Volt to 100volt step down transformer
2. The customer must replace the electric cord with a new cord with a U.S.A.-style plug.
3.The unit costs $300-$600 more than an officially distributed U.S.A. unit.
4.The customer must download an English language instruction book.
5. $17 customs duty.
6.Presumably there is no U.S.A. warranty.
7. Complex and obscure customs forms must be obtained, completed and submitted to the U.S.A. government before the carrier will be permitted to deliver the product.

I'm aware that Luxman was offering its own direct drive turntable in a similar price category, but the unit (PD-171A) has been discontinued, though a seller on Ebay is scalping a still-sealed 100 volt unit for $6500....which is beyond what I'm prepared to spend.

Maybe this is a cosmic message that I should stick with my Technics SL-1210 Mk.2, which is still working fine after almost 26 years. Whether an expensive SL-1200G would be audibly better...I don't know. / I e-mailed Technics concerning the SL-1200G availability issue. They chose not to reply. I got onto a (no obligation) waiting list with one authorized dealer, but the date when the dealer was expecting more units came and went, and obviously it was not to be. Technics' way of marketing this product is odd. Aren't they in business to sell stuff?

 

[lovinthehd]

I'd stick with your current tt in any case.....audibly improved is highly doubtful.

ps But distribution of components is highly affected by covid so hard to know what issues they have in the supply chain. It ain't all about the end consumer....

 

[slipperybidness]

As far as I can tell, there is no good reason to move away from your Mk2!

 

[Mikado463]

interesting, there is a Technics dealer in NJ claiming to have them as well as my local dealer in De. ????

 

[PhilCohen]

Well, today, Technics allocated another 300 units for the U.S.A., including a few SL-1200GAE (the very first model that Technics released since reviving the SL-1200 product line). I got home and noticed an e-mail from the dealer, and I then contacted him and bought the unit, plus an Ortofon cartridge, premounted in a Technics-compatable Ortofon headshell. I could have bought the SL-1200G in Stainless steel, or the SL-1210GAE in black. I bought the SL-1210GAE. It was going to be the same price either way.
In watching Technics YouTube video about the manufacturing of the SL-1200G, it is obviously a handcrafted product, and only 30 motors can be produced per day....hence the scarcity.
Now, I only have to buy one more product to complete my "Museum Grade" spare set of equipment. It will be a 55" Sony OLED T.V. that will be available in March 2021.
UPDATE:I had to buy the Ortofon 2M Black cartridge a la carte, because the factory pre-mounted version(with Ortofon headshell) was not available. I'll use the Technics headshell. I opted for moving magnet because I'm using it with an A/V processor whose phono input only supports moving magnet. Yes, I've got an old Parasound phono preamp which supports moving coil, but then I'm gobbling up one more input on my A/V processor. I've got a lot of source components.)

 

[lovinthehd]

Congrats!

At least they're available! I was just watching a video from a bike company I know well, about their supply problems. Usually a bike is about a 3 month process beginning to end in the supply chain but that's now stretched out by high demand for bikes to where they're now 14-15 months for same. Literally they're pre-sold their whole lineup well into 2022 already. All the suppliers are slammed by our situation, from basic bike components to the boxes they ship them in....

 

[Mikado463]

Congrats (X2) Phil, IMO you have got one hell of a TT, one that by every account that I've read and heard from a handful of owners punches well above it's price point. tell me again what Ortofon cartridge you will be using ? phono-pre ?

 

[slipperybidness]

Well, today, Technics allocated another 300 units for the U.S.A., including a few SL-1200GAE (the very first model that Technics released since reviving the SL-1200 product line). I got home and noticed an e-mail from the dealer, and I then contacted him and bought the unit, plus an Ortofon cartridge, premounted in a Technics-compatable Ortofon headshell. I could have bought the SL-1200G in Stainless steel, or the SL-1210GAE in black. I bought the SL-1210GAE. It was going to be the same price either way.
In watching Technics YouTube video about the manufacturing of the SL-1200G, it is obviously a handcrafted product, and only 30 motors can be produced per day....hence the scarcity.
Now, I only have to buy one more product to complete my "Museum Grade" spare set of equipment. It will be a 55" Sony OLED T.V. that will be available in March 2021.
UPDATE:I had to buy the Ortofon 2M Black cartridge a la carte, because the factory pre-mounted version(with Ortofon headshell) was not available. I'll use the Technics headshell. I opted for moving magnet because I'm using it with an A/V processor whose phono input only supports moving magnet. Yes, I've got an old Parasound phono preamp which supports moving coil, but then I'm gobbling up one more input on my A/V processor. I've got a lot of source components.)

I have the SL1210, specifically b/c I wanted the black model.